Campaign gathering momentum to stop Starbucks coming to Stroud

A petition to stop the multinational chain opening at the Five Valleys Shopping Centre has been signed by almost 3,000 people since being launched on Friday.

Among those who have signed it are former Stroud District Council leader Doina Cornell, Labour candidate Simon Opher and Green candidate Pete Kennedy.

What does the petition say?

Stroud resident Chloe Fairbrother, who started the petition at change.org, said it gained more than 100 signatures in the first few hours.

The petition states: "Do we want small business owners driven out of town by loss of earnings and the ever-increasing cost of living crisis which Starbucks is completely unaffected by?

"Do we want Starbucks to join Costa and Coffee #1 in gradually deteriorating the independent spirit that has drawn people to Stroud for generations? 

"This move which will have a negative impact on all independent café owners in Stroud as well as corrode Stroud’s independent spirit which is the main draw to all visitors to this unique town.

“Five Valleys Shopping Centre claimed that they came to rejuvenate Stroud's centre under the guise of creating a marketplace for small independents.

“The plan to now welcome a massive Starbucks to this centre is in complete violation of their original plan and intentions."

What does Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie say?

The branch would be just yards from MP Siobhan Baillie's constituency office in King Street in part of the former Poundland which is being converted into a new medical centre.

In a statement, Ms Baillie said: “I am proud of the number of independent businesses we have locally and incredible home grown entrepreneurs.

“All jobs and investment are welcome but there are plenty of coffee businesses that are much better than the multinationals like Starbucks.

“Our high streets are also already under enough pressure.

“I’ve asked to speak to the team who are working to build the brilliant new medical facilities in King Street next door to my office.

“I want to understand what the options are and why Starbucks are even being considered as I want a local business there.

“The Five Valleys complex and team has been brilliant at breathing life into the old exhausted Merrywalks and giving homes to loads of Stroud valleys businesses so I was surprised to see this story and want to hear from them.

“In the meantime, let’s show local feeling on the issue with the petition by sharing it."

What does Starbucks say?

The application has been submitted by Dransfield Properties - owners of the Five Valleys Shopping Centre.

Dransfield declined to comment on the backlash against the plans.

However a spokesperson for Starbucks said: "We look forward to bringing the Starbucks experience to customers in Stroud in the near future and will be in touch once we have more specific plans to share."

What does Stroud District Council say? 

Under planning law, Starbucks does not need to apply for change of use.

Stroud District Council only needs to approve plans for outdoor seating and planters plus signage.

An SDC spokesperson said: “Planning permission is not required to change the use of Unit 1 at Five Valleys shopping centre to a café.

“This is because Government has changed planning rules which all councils must follow allowing flexible movement between a number of different uses such as shops, financial/professional services, restaurants and cafes, health centres, offices and light industrial uses amongst others, without the need to apply for planning permission for a change of use.

“Therefore this is a permitted change of use within Class E of the Use Classes Order 1987.

"Class E was introduced by Government on September 1, 2020.

“The current applications for this site are for physical works to the exterior of the building (S.22/1697/FUL) and new advertisements (S.22/1698/ADV) only.

"The council will not be able to consider the use of Unit 1 when determining these applications."

Members of the public can comment on both applications which can be viewed on the council’s website or at Ebley Mill. 

You can view the petition on Stroud Against Starbucks here.